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[Next Episode: Ask Florida Man] Star Wars - The History of the Jedi...
jdarksun
StrugglerVARegistered User regular
StrugglerVARegistered User regular
Prologue
Luke,
I'm so close. I've tracked the holocron to Giaca, and secured permission from Supreme Leader Snoke to launch a small expedition through First Order territory. All I need is a crew… and your permission, of course.
-Lor
The History of the Jedi... is a campaign for the Fantasy Flight Games Star Wars Roleplaying Game set between Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, and Star Wars Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Since it is basically impossible to discuss this time period without spoiling the movies, be warned: spoilers beyond this point. Additionally, I am not a slave to canon. We will be using it as a starting off point, but all roads forward are our own.
Setting
The game starts before the destruction of Luke Skywalker’s Jedi by Kylo Ren and the Knights of Ren. Since canon details are sketchy, we’re going to make several assumptions - mostly cribbed from Legends.
- Skywalker calls this place the Jedi Academy, and he’s done his best to reinstitute a lot of the trappings of the old ways - new students are called Padawans, graduate to Knights, and theoretically could ascend to Master (though there’s no criteria for that yet).
- It’s located on Yavin IV, specifically at a large temple (“the Jedi temple”) on the planet.
We know a bit more about who was there than we know what it was or where it was. There were dozens of Force-sensitive students, and there was a Church of the Force that accepted non-Force-sensitive members for people who wanted to follow the Jedi ideals. Additionally, the Academy had a martial focus - or at least did not shy away from it, as we know Kylo Ren/Ben received training in lightsaber combat. But we also know that lightsabers themselves were not common, as none of the other Knights of Ren (at least in Rey’s vision) had them. So, further assumptions:
- If you’re at the Academy, it’s reasonable to receive Lightsaber training.
- This means that students at the Academy could construct Lightsabers, or at least have access to weapons that could approximate them.
- There exist places to train in Force use other than the Jedi Academy (such as wherever the Knights of Ren train).
- Lightsabers were seen as a specifically Jedi weapon, or at least the knowledge of their creation was limited such that non-Jedi did not have access to them.
As there were dozens of students, it follows that there must have been several instructors. I’ve created a few based on what I think Skywalker would want taught at the Academy. You’re welcome to use them in your character’s backgrounds, or make up other teachers as desired.
There exist two major governments in the galaxy - the New Republic and the First Order. The New Republic is the what became of the Rebellion; in victory it sued for peace, establishing a disarmament treaty with the Imperial remnant (later becoming the First Order). Where the New Republic has elected officials and an overabundance of bureaucracy, the First Order is a military junta ruled with an iron fist. The Academy is nominally part of the New Republic, but maintains a diplomatic relationship with the First Order.
Prominent NPCs
Phalle ke Seiufere
Phalle was a promising blastsword duelist from the Wild Space planet of Adumar. Growing bored with the challenges the other duellists on his planet could offer, Phalle struck out on his own. Expecting to find more difficult opponents, Phalle instead discovered a galaxy that had left swordplay behind. When he heard about the Jedi Academy and students that not only actively trained in melee combat, but could also possibly read his mind or levitate objects, Phalle immediately traveled to Yavin IV and challenged Luke Skywalker to a duel. Skywalker won, but not before being impressed by Phalle’s skill and dedication to his craft. The Adumari has been training the students ever since.
Brash and cocksure, Phalle ke Seiufere would be unfit to be a teacher if he wasn’t so damn dedicated to seeing his students become as skilled as he is. The idea of time off almost doesn’t exist to Phalle, with every pupil getting all the time needed to make sure that they’re at least capable of basic self defense.
Quietly respectful of Iggjel. Loudly critical of Kidi.
Combat instructor. Much of Luke’s formative experiences revolved around fighting - either with the Rebellion against the Empire, or by himself against Vader and Palaptine. As such, Skywalker would value teaching students various arts of self-defense, specifically Lightsaber dueling. The use of blasters and vehicle-mounted weapons would also be covered, but not as prominently as other academies exist to cover those fields.
Iggjel Guerglenar
Nature Priest and worshipper of Ithor’s Mother Jungle, Iggjel was waiting on Yavin IV when Luke arrived to found the Academy. Like many Ithorians, Iggjel is a pacifist and sees all life as sacred. When not giving lectures on patience first and the importance of peace, Iggjel can be found tending to the flora and fauna surrounding the temple, or serving as volunteer at the clinic. The students whisper that every conversation with Iggjel is a test, as there seems to be no question that you can ask without receiving an answer from the Ithorian that makes you want to ask another question.
Unflappably calm and impossibly gentle. Iggjel is Force-sensitive, but refuses train non-Ithorians.
Saddened by Phalle. Amused by Kidi.
Spirituality. More than just a way to move rocks around, Yoda taught Skywalker that the Force bound all living things together. He strove to impress the concepts of unity, of togetherness, that everything was a part of everything else. Towards that end, Skywalker would want similar lessons impressed upon his students - he’d want them to be opened up to the idea that people were luminous beings, not just the crude matter you can see with your eyes.
Kidi Aleri
Cerean female communications specialist who served the Rebel Alliance in the Galactic Civil War. Assisted Leia Organa on several missions against the Empire. Previously attached to the Imperial Survey Corps as a signals analyst before defecting to the Rebellion. Continued working as an intelligence analyst with the Republic until her outspoken criticism of the First Order became politically inconvenient. Specifically asked to fill this position by Skywalker’s sister, unbeknownst to Luke. Decades of covert warfare experience; mostly teaches modern history and wilderness survival.
That appearance is just how Aleri wants it, because it makes her real goal easier. The Cerean is searching for suitable students to train in the arts of subterfuge and intelligence gathering. What’s the only thing better than a secret agent embedded behind enemy lines? Why, one that can read minds.
Likes flowers and complex encryption. Writes mathematical poetry about patriotism and electronic warfare. Has an anecdote for everything. More than a little paranoid.
Hopelessly smitten with Phalle. Believes Iggjel to be dangerously naive.
Survival. Like the Combat instructor, Luke’s time with the Rebellion taught him that sometimes there was nothing more valuable that being able to chart a course across a star system or fix a bad motivator. All students get a baseline level of schooling in historical and current events, as well as - due to his sister’s insistence - certain activities some governments might consider subversive.
Luke Skywalker
Jedi Master and hero of the New Republic. Addresses the student body as a whole on a weekly basis. Tries to meet with each student every other day to practice Force techniques and chart progress. Spends the remainder of his time sifting through lore and rumors in an attempt to figure out the best way to train Jedi. Frequently goes into brief periods of isolation to meditate.
Lor San Tekka
Jedi historian and unofficial loremaster for the Academy. Actually seeing him at the Academy is always a cause for excitement, because it means he's about to go off on an expedition to retrieve another artifact of the Jedi.
Character creation details
- All characters that are (or might become) Force-sensitive must have Morality. Duty and/or Obligation are optional for Force-sensitive characters, but one of the two must be used for non-Force-sensitive characters.
- Don’t forget Motivation.
- In addition to Motivation, please list one thing your character loves, one thing they hate, and one thing they cannot live without.
- +100 xp after character creation.
- All official published materials allowed.
- Characters don’t have to be Jedi; they merely need to be someone useful that Skywalker would want around the Academy, would send on missions to retrieve artifacts, or would trust to keep the students safe. Unfilled roles will go to NPCs. (Example: the expedition is going to need a pilot. If you don’t create one, they’ll be an NPC.)
Game and player information
The History of the Jedi... will be played live over the internet, using a combination of tools (specifically Mumble and Roll20) - participation will require a microphone and a reliable internet connection. Game time will probably start around 0200 GMT (9pm EST / 6pm PST) and run for three or four hours. The easiest days for me to play are Friday or Saturday, but exceptions can be made to find a good time for the group as a whole.
Game sessions will be recorded and distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. This means anybody can share our sessions, but they have to give us credit, can’t charge money for them, and can’t change what we produce.
Prior to game start, I’m going to run a sound check to make sure we all sound good together. Please include in your character submission a good time to run the sound check.
FAQ
Q: What's the Murmur server contact string?
A: jdarksun-doesntexist.ddns.net:64738
I'm on a podcast with other PA folk. Which? That DnD Podcast.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
jdarksun on
+6
Posts
OptimusZed - -Duxa Ryong, Zabrak (Dathomiri) Marauder
Oats - Ald Gene, Human Sentinel
DevoutlyApathetic - Kik'tl, Verpine Guardian
Ardent - Rayner Kaj, Human (Corellian) Seeker
Grunt's Ghosts - Dur'rahl, Miraluka Makashi Duelist
DeamonIzual - BR-88, Droid Bounty Hunter
Podcast Episodes
Episode 01 - Introductions
Episode 01.5 - Additional Introductions
Episode 02 - Slice of Life / Space Whale
Episode 03 - First Mission
Do you remember what happens? Here's a hint: Duxa doesn't get lost, but she does eat some space-roadkill.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Hillariously, the concept that has been bouncing around in my head the last few days is completely inappropriate for this. Oh well, I've got a backlog.
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Not atm but I can certainly see about trying to find some either online or at my local shop.
Nikto Morgukai Adept/Techno Samurai hunting for pieces of his tradition's history and techniques
Zabrak organized crime enforcer-turned Matukai Iron Fist
And Action Wookiee (TM) is always sitting just out of frame waiting to be deployed.
I'm good for sound test any time. After 9 EST I'm the only one awake around here anyway, so availability shouldn't be a problem.
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
As for the core dice mechanic - every time you attempt to do a thing, you take the Skill of what is you want to do and match it up with the Characteristic that governs the Skill. The bigger of the two numbers is your pool size; the smaller of the two is the number of times you upgrade that pool. Minor positive circumstances (aiming, for example) are accounted for by adding a Boost die or two.
The opposition pool is set by the GM, usually based around a fixed difficulty (trying to shoot something a certain distance away) or an opposed check (trying to bluff your way past the guards). Minor negative circumstances (your target has armor, or is hiding behind a crate) are accounted for by adding a Setback die or two.
Examples:
It's the first time Roark Garnet has ever picked up a blaster. He's not trained in the Ranged - Light Skill (0), but he's got an Average (2) Agility, but he wants to show off his new blaster to his pal Nagraoao. He takes aim at an empty bottle of Lum, and fires.
(Base pool of 2 + 0 upgrades = 2 Ability dice, + 1 Boost die for aiming vs the base Difficulty of 2 for Medium range)
Geth, roll 2eA+1eB+2eD for Shooting a bottle at Medium range
0 successes, 1 advantage [2eA=A, S/S] [1eB=S] [2eD=F/F, F]
Success cancels out Failure, and vice versa. With no successes, Roark misses the bottle.
Advantage cancels out Threat, and vice versa. With one advantage, there's a minor positive side effect - even though he missed.
Roark's shot goes wide, and Nagraoao howls with laughter. However, the wookiee claps him on the shoulder and says, "It must have been the solar winds. Happens to all of us sometimes." Roark smiles at the camaraderie, and uses the Advantage to offset a bit of the Strain he incurred earlier in the adventure.
Later, Roark is trying to bluff past an Imperial Navy officer in order to rescue his friends. Roark's a smuggler, and has spent a lot of time practicing fancy ways of talking past a problem (Deception 3), but is still just of Average (2) Cunning. Unfortunately, the Empire trains their officers to follow orders (Discipline 3) even if they are still only human (Willpower 2).
(Base pool of 3 + 2 upgrades = 2 Proficiency dice + 1 Ability die, verses an identical opposition pool of 2 Challenge dice + 1 Difficulty die)
Geth, roll 2eP+1eA+2eC+1eD for Trying to bluff past an Imperial Navy officer
1 success, 1 advantage [2eP=A/A, S/S] [1eA=S] [2eC=Th, -] [1eD=F/F]
The officer buys Roark's story of just being out for a stroll, and lets him pass. The Force must be with us, thinks the smuggler, and he "pays the Advantage forward" - spending the Advantage to give a Boost die to the next player character to roll.
Simple tutorial.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Let me know if anything doesn't check out. I reserve the right to fiddle with this until finalization.
Duxa, Prodigal Matukai Adept
Edit: If it helps my chances, I've been told that I have a face for radio.
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
I actually started fleshing out my idea for a character and it didn't seem to be mechanically cumbersome and had an interesting RP hook for me and then I see that and I think I'm just gonna go sit in a corner for awhile.
Disguise, bluff, maybe some light hacking.
Ald Gene, shadow-in-training and deniable-asset-wannabe.
EDIT: Now with more PDF.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
"Beep boop, load me in my mouse-bot body, it's time for some infiltration"
I was thinking of having gone from the Rebellion into the Academy which sorta makes sense if it's been a couple years but not so much if it's been a decade or more.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Been a while since I looked at anything SWFFG related...*browses*
Specifically, I convinced myself to spring for the Shock Gloves after all.
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
Kik'tl, Verpine Guardian Armorer
I need to finish writing out the background (and I guess give a description of a bug person). My initial thought on how to get a Verpine to the Academy doesn't really work with how late the date is and the back up I'd thought about after seeing that date is too late. According to Wookie there was some interaction between the Jedi and Roche around 8 ABY but that doesn't seem to fit as well as the other two ideas. I may just say he's second generation with his parents taking the Rebellion ->Academy route working as technical support for the Academy. That does imply that there are at least a few Verpine at the Academy. They don't seem like the sort of race that travel in 2's or 3's. Either one or at least half a dozen seem to feel right.
I could have sworn I had a good answer for the "hate" question but it is completely gone from my mind. Not terribly sure I've explained the "Live without" idea well enough either. I'll work on them tomorrow.
Looks like we've got a few characters set up - @OptimusZed @Oats @DevoutlyApathetic would you guys be good for a sound check on Saturday around 9pm Eastern? Shouldn't take too long, just want to do a configuration sanity check.
More characters are still welcome! I'll do another sound check during the week for folk who can't make Saturday.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Quick question on item mods, how do we handle the upgrade qualities that require a roll during character creation for a character that should be able to install them?
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
Leaning towards Seeker (Pathfinder), but he'd do okay as a Warrior (Ace) or even some of the careers from AoR and EotE. (If AoR he'd probably have Support as his duty. EotE almost certainly will be Family.)
Will get more written up as the character is developed and I can be around Saturday if invited!
Ok, so looking at the rest of the cast, it seems I'm likely to be the only person with Obligations. So as far as CC, how will this work for my starting amount I get?
What if it's an heirloom.
Specifically, I'm looking at the possibility of Duxa having some weird piece if gear that she found in Master Qwa's stuff before she left. Right now I'm leaving toward a crazy cortosis repulsor fist (cortosis gauntlets with weighted head plus mods). Duxa is completely incapable if making any if those rolls herself, though. If you would rather it just stay unupgraded, we can just say that it's currently malfunctioning until it can be looked at by someone with the proper skills. I mostly just like it as a story hook for her relationship with her master and his mysterious past.
This might be a relevant question for @DevoutlyApathetic as well.
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
Still should factor into starting equipment for the character. 250 for the Weighted Head attachment, 100 for the first mod, 200 for the second, etc. As for charging for the service of having a mod installed... hm... let's say 100 for the first mod, then a cost depending on the total cost of the attachment being modified for subsequent mods.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
If I wanted to throw two mods on something (both Weighted Head mods, basically) what would that run me in labor? And could I con another player into doing it for me?
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.